Who is this question for?

Parents of a child under 3

You’re preparing an afternoon snack for a young child. Their age matters more than the chocolate flavour. Manger Bouger advises avoiding chocolate before the age of 3 and says that water is the only essential drink.

Households buying an intense cocoa powder for older children or adults

You’re looking for a richer cup for someone else in the household, rather than for your toddler. Information from Poulain and Banania shows why it’s important to check the specific recipe: cocoa content, sugars and ingredients vary between products.

What should you look for first?

For an afternoon snack for a child under 3, start with the age-related advice. Composition and intensity become relevant when the powder is for someone else in the household.

What matters What to check Who it applies to
Age of the person it’s for Before the age of 3, bear in mind Manger Bouger’s advice to avoid chocolate, whatever the stated intensity. If I’m preparing an afternoon snack for a child under 3, I want to know whether hot chocolate is suitable before comparing flavours. Around 50% of consumers would make the child’s age their top priority.
Powder ingredients For another member of the household, check the sugars per 100 g, the serving size, the ingredients and the allergens in the specific product. When I’m buying for an older person, I want to know what’s in the recipe and spot any ingredients they need to avoid. For almost 30% of consumers, ingredients would be the main deciding factor.
Strength of the cocoa flavour Compare the cocoa content of each product, but don’t use it to infer the sugar content or whether it’s suitable for a toddler. If the drink is for an adult or an older child, I’m mainly looking for a stronger cocoa flavour. Around 20% of consumers would put this first.

Common misconceptions to avoid

  • Assuming “intense” means it’s suitable for a toddler

    A higher cocoa content describes the recipe, but it doesn’t change Manger Bouger’s advice to avoid chocolate before the age of 3.

    For this snack, choose a drink that’s suitable for the child’s age. Save comparisons between cocoa powders for other members of the household.

  • Expecting every pack to show a Nutri-Score

    In France, the DGCCRF distinguishes between the mandatory nutrition declaration for prepacked foods and the Nutri-Score logo, which is optional. So the absence of the logo doesn’t tell you anything about the recipe on its own.

    Check the nutritional information and ingredients for the specific product, rather than focusing on whether or not it displays the logo.

  • Comparing only the sugar per 100 g of powder

    The amount of powder used and the liquid added also affect the values in a prepared cup. The figures per bowl for Banania Original are based on its own preparation instructions using semi-skimmed milk.

    Use the per-100 g figures to compare powders, then check the serving size and, where available, the information for a prepared serving.

  • Looking only at the cocoa in the ingredients list

    Depending on the recipe, Banania Original contains ingredients including wheat- and barley-based cereals, and may contain traces of milk and soya.

    Check the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging of the specific product and pack size you’re buying.

Brands to compare

These ranges show how recipes and usage guidance can vary for other members of the household. Their inclusion here doesn’t mean their powders are suitable for a child under 3.

Poulain

The Grand Arôme range lets you compare the stated cocoa content of different products.

  • Poulain states that Grand Arôme contains 32% cocoa, while Grand Arôme Intense contains 70%.
  • These sweetened cocoa powders shouldn’t be considered suitable for a child under 3 at snack time based on their cocoa content alone.

Banania

Banania Original chocolate powder combines cocoa with other ingredients, so it’s worth looking beyond the product name and checking the recipe.

  • Banania states that its Original recipe contains 19% highly defatted cocoa and provides nutritional information for a prepared bowl.
  • The recipe includes wheat and barley, among other ingredients. The brand also warns that it may contain traces of milk and soya.

Nesquik

The Original instant drink mix shows why it’s important to check the recommended serving size for the relevant age group.

  • The Auchan product page for this item includes serving guidance for children aged 3 to 5.
  • This guidance isn’t a recommendation for a child under 3. Check the recipe on the pack you buy, too.

Joybuy products related to this topic

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Can you give a child under 3 intense hot chocolate?

Manger Bouger advises avoiding chocolate before the age of 3, including in the form of a powder for a hot drink. Water is the only essential drink for a young child, and the word “intense” doesn’t change that advice.

Is Nutri-Score compulsory on cocoa powders?

No. The DGCCRF says the Nutri-Score logo is optional, unlike the nutrition declaration, which is compulsory for prepacked foods. Whether or not there’s a logo, check the sugars, ingredients and allergens for the product you’re considering.

Does the tax on sugary drinks apply to cocoa powder?

A dry powder shouldn’t automatically be treated as a taxable sugary drink. The Official Bulletin of Public Finances – Tax describes a levy on non-alcoholic drinks containing added sugars. If this matters for your purchase, check the rules that apply to the product and the way it’s sold. You can find the sugar content on the packaging.

How should you check for allergens and store the powder?

Check the ingredients list, allergens and any warnings about possible traces on the exact pack you’re buying. Follow its storage instructions, too: guidance on a different powder may not apply to your product.